While I'm not necessarily looking to make a habit of reading way more horror, I will say the genre is beginning to grow on me. This one hit all the marks, with the main characters including queer and disabled people, who are usually some of the first to go in horror movies. This author has clearly decided it doesn't have to be that way.
The setting is extremely modern, by which I mean the Covid 19 pandemic is heavily referenced and contributes to the environment. This is a horror story that very much feeds on modern fears of contagion, albeit in ways that go beyond the scope of reality. The setting of a small island grants both a realistic plot device of isolation, and a unique and area-specific history that both contribute heavily to the story.
It's not a zombie story, not precisely, but it's something that manages to be even creepier. I highly recommend this book, whether you're a fan of slow build horror and the creeps, or even if you're not but are willing to give it a try for the sake of a satisfying tale that bucks some tropes.
